approved by MPs.

Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt , who unveiled the Act, said many people wrongly thought a divorce rendered wills invalid.

But he said -- under current rules -- people who got divorced had to visit a lawyer and change their wills to block bids by former partners to claim a share of their estate on death.

Mr. Barritt said: "There is a real benefit to average man and woman in this Country because they will no longer need to change their wills upon divorce -- they will now know that gift will lapse.'' But Mr. Barritt said that the rules change would not mean ex-spouses being financially penalised.

He explained existing laws allowed for a fair division of property on divorce and special arrangements to cover things like pensions for long marriages.

And Mr. Barritt -- himself a lawyer -- said the change was needed because at least one in three marriages in Bermuda end in divorce.

UBP backbencher Ann Cartwright DeCouto -- a barrister with expertise in divorce cases -- added that many people were "careless about personal affairs.'' She added: "Sometimes it's neccessary to have a reality check and say `I'll put my affairs in order.' '' PLP MP and barrister Paula Cox told the House she had dealt with divorce cases in her early career.

She said when working in England, one wealthy client had died in a car crash without changing his will, leaving his estranged wife to inherit his estate, against his wishes.

Mr. Barritt said: "In this particular case, it's clear we're about reform and this reform is assisting people.''